A First Course in Statistics for Computer Engineering Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The Polytechnic University of Valencia (PUV) in Spain, has a special School of Engineering in Computer Science. The school offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering. A first service course in statistics is a compulsory subject for students in the first semester of the degree. This paper looks at the background behind the course, describes its contents and structure, and presents the assessment methods and results. Statistical education for computer engineers tries to give them a solid foundation in statistics. An emphasis is placed on mastering a wide use of statistical methods in order to allow the students to apply these techniques in many fields of computer science. About 400 students enroll each year in the subject. Basic knowledge is important, but not more important than creating in the student a positive attitude towards statistical methods.